2020health calls for high-tech monitoring of the chronically sick

By Jonathan Isaby

A new report from the think-tank 2020health was published last night, which calls for urgent ministerial support to facilitate the use of the remote capture and relay of health information from the home of those with long term conditions (LTCs), for clinical review and early intervention.

Healthcare without walls – a framework for delivering telehealth at scale makes three key recommendations:

Amend tariffs/incentive schemes to recognise and reward telehealth- and teleconsultation-enabled services on a consistent basis across the NHS;

Create improved public awareness around telehealth and its ability to enable better self-care – leading to systemic improvements across health and social care;

Establish a national framework of support and expertise in telehealth to share best practice.

Julia Manning, director of 2020health, explains:

“Properly implemented this is a prescription for the next generation and would easily save the NHS up to £1 billion. If things are left as they are now, however, the pressure that the LTCs put on the NHS and social care could overwhelm it. Doing nothing is not an option. Government needs to grasp this nettle and make enabling telehealth a national priority now.

“If we get this right now, we can improve the quality and affordability of patient care for the next generation. Implemented effectively, the remote capture of information from patient in the home, distance learning and consultations can all improve the patient’s care and quality of life by reducing the need for appointments and emergency admissions to hospital. It also means nurses’ and GPs’ time can be focused on genuine needs instead of taking routine measurements.”